By Joe Koizumi
Photos: Naoki Fukuda
WBA flyweight champ Seigo Yuri Akui (21-2-1, 11 KOs), 112, kept his belt as he kept stalking Thai challenger #8 Thananchai Charunphak (25-1, 15 KOs), 112, and overcame his late-surge retaliation and earned a split decision over twelve hard-fought rounds on Sunday in Tokyo, Japan. The official tallies were as follows: Robert Hoyle (US) 115-113, Kwan-Ho Jang (Korea) 117-111, both for the champ, Guillermo Perez Pineda (Panama) 113-115 for the counterpunching challenger. The referee was Luis Pabon (Puerto Rico).
Akui, a workman stylist making his second defense since dethroning Artem Dalakian, positively maintained the pressure to the retreating Thailander in earlier rounds. Thananchai, however, changed his gear and sometimes scored with overhand rights to the onrushing champ from the seventh. The taller challenger had the champ at bay in round ten, when he exclusively attacked the champ’s breadbasket and had him on the defensive. But Akui showed his heart and superior stamina with his determined aggression in the last two sessions (with all judges scoring in his favor that eventually carried him to a close but well-deserved victory).
Promoter: Teiken Promotions.
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